Anti-trap wire spool



Nov. 2, 1965 c. STEINBACK ANTI-TRAP WIRE SPOOL Filed Sept. 1.7, 1963 INVENTOR. CLARENCE I. STE/NBACK ATTORNEYS 3,215,352 ANTI-TRAP "vVIRE SPSOI, Qiarence I. Steinbeck, Minneapolis, Minn assignor to Acrometai Products, Inc, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporaticn of Minnesota lt iied Sept. 17, I963, Ser. No. 309,556 1 (Cl. 2t2113.8)

My invention relates generally to winding drums or spools for wire, and more particularly, to spools of the disposable, throw-away type.

Spools of the above character, of necessity, comprise a cylindrical winding drum, to opposite ends of which are secured diametrically enlarged flange-like heads. Because throw-away spools must be mass-produced from relatively inexpensive mate-rials in order to keep the cost thereof at a minimum, the fit between opposite ends of the winding drum and the heads is frequently such as to permit fine or micro-wire to become wedged or trapped therebetween. This is highly objectionable, particularly during the unwinding operation which is accomplished by mechanical means.

I he primary object of my invention is the provision of a trap-proof winding spool which may be mass-produced at a cost comparable to the cost at which disposable winding spools are presently being produced.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a winding spool of the type immediately above described which is extremely easy to assemble and is foolproof and durable in use.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of my novel spool;

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, but showing a conventional spool of the type wherein entrapment of wire takes place;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of a portion of FIG. 1, portions thereof being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in section as seen from the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view in enlarged section as seen from the line 66 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of a modified toothed structure.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, and initially to the structure of FIG. 2, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a conventional winding spool wherein the cylindrical winding drum is identified by the numeral 2, the diametrically enlarged flange-like heads by 3, and the anchoring plates by 4. The opposite ends of the winding drums 2 are cut off on straight lines, in planes normal to the axis of the drum 1. Furthermore, the heads 3, frequently being formed from pressed fibrous material such as Super-Wood, do not always present flat surfaces, but in truth may be distorted or warped. Consequently, gaps or openings 5 too frequently appear between opposite ends of the drum 2 and the heads 3. As a result, wire d frequently becomes wedged or trapped in the openings 5 during the winding operation as shown particularly in FIG. 6.

In my trap-proof spool, shown in FIGS. 1 3, 4, and 5,

3,215,362 Federated Nov. 2, 1965 and identified in its entirety by the numeral 7, the cylindrical winding drum 8 is formed from sheet steel or other suitable sheet metal, the opposite end portions being continuously serrated to provide a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially outwardly projecting teeth 9.

The diametrically enlarged flange-like heads 19 are also formed from pressed fibrous material and are capable of being penetrated by the teeth 9 under axial pressure, as shown particularly in FIG. 3.

While the particular means for anchoring the heads 10 to the opposite ends of the winding drum 8 may vary considerably, as shown, I utilize annular sheet metal anchoring plates 11, the central openings of which are identified by 12, and which are provided with circumferentially spaced openings 13 thereabout. Openings 13 are formed by punching'the plates to form inwardly projecting arcuate anchoring ears 14 which project axially inwardly through mating openings 15 in the heads It and are spot-welded to opposite end portions of the drum 8, immediately inwardly of the teeth 9.

With the novel arrangement above described, it is not absolutely essential that the teeth 9 be completely embedded in the adjacent heads 10 for, as indicated particularly in FIG. 5, even under conditions where the teeth 9 are but partially embedded in the adjacent heads 10, wire entrapment is completely obviated,

In the modified structure of FIG. 7, the opposite ends of the drum 8' are formed to define teeth 9' which are separated from each other by circumferentially spaced aligned flat root portions 16. With this arrangement, great accuracy is achieved in view of the fact that none of the teeth 9 can penetrate their cooperating heads 10 beyond the fiat root portion 16.

My invention has been completely tested and found to be entirely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while I have disclosed a preferred embodiment thereof, my invention may be capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a device of the class described:

(a) a cylindrical winding drum formed from sheet metal and having its opposite end portions serrated to define a plurality of circumferentially disposed axially and oppositely projecting pointed teeth,

(b) diametrically enlarged parallel flange-like heads impaled on opposite ends of said drum,

(c) said heads being formed from non-metallic materials capable of being penetrated by said teeth, and

((1) other means positively locking said heads to said drum with said teeth substantially embedded there- (e) said heads being formed from compressed fibrous material, and

(f) said teeth being in the nature of continuous triangular serrations.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 25,390 5/63 Bieber et al. 242-11861 391,456 10/88 Cross 242118.61 898,398 9/08 Wood 242118.61 3,088,692: 5/63 McGlaughlin 2421l8.3

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

